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Mr speaker mad dogs vs k550 or other

post #1 of 21
2/19/13 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
How do these two stack up to each other? I have heard the 550 and enjoyed them but that was straight out of an iPod. I was set on the MD but keep looking at the 550 if they are on the same level is buy these tomorrow. If these get absolutely destroyed by the mad dogs then what are on a similar level that are affordable? Soundstage and detail is a must. I listen to rock, metal some old school hip hop. I can buy the mad dogs in about 10 days so if tere is nothing better ill buy them.
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post #2 of 21
2/19/13 at 1:37pm

Mad Dogs need quite a good amp to bring them to their best.

 

If you're going to just listen straight from your iPod, then I think there are better headphones out there.

 

What's your budget? Up to Mad Dogs price tag? ($299?)

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post #3 of 21
2/19/13 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 
My source is the iPhone 4S and Fio e7. Yeah 299 max.
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post #4 of 21
2/19/13 at 1:46pm

I tried the Mad Dogs directly out of my iPhone 5 and Fiio E12 very recently.

 

Let's just say that wasn't the best pairing ever. However, if you happen to have a treble-boosting amp, or one that specifically boosts clarity (even more than the O2, by the way), then Mad Dogs may be good for you.

 

If you are looking for more bass than the K550, V-Moda's new M100 is a good contender. Alternatively, I think Audio Technica WS99 is also a good contender, although I haven't heard that one yet to really lay down any thought about it.

 

If you are not looking for more bass, but rather more treble and midrange details, then I think the K550 is pretty hard to beat in the price range.

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post #5 of 21
2/19/13 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
I didn't like the m100 at all it was too much bass without detail for me. I'm not too fussed with bass as long as its not non existent. I may choose the k550, I already own the k701 I use it as my home headphone mostly for gaming I really enjoy them. Would you say the k560 are b the same league as Mad dogs then?
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post #6 of 21
2/19/13 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Any more opinions?
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post #7 of 21
2/19/13 at 6:48pm

I think the Mad Dogs with proper amping actually sounds better, with a fuller, and lusher midrange, and it also has more bottom end, so I don't know if I should lump them together in the same league.

 

I do know that the Mad Dogs can play with the big boys around the $500 - $800 price range, though. Basically, the Mad Dogs will scale better as you get better gears.

 

The K550, I don't think gets that much better with much better gears. They are sort of stuck where they are.


Edited by Bill-P - 2/19/13 at 6:49pm
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post #8 of 21
2/19/13 at 7:06pm

Mad Dogs are really pathetic unamped. Check out Sony MDR-1R.
 

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post #9 of 21
2/19/13 at 7:17pm

I preferred Mad Dogs straight out an ipod to K550 out a Bottlehead Crack.  They don't get extremely loud out an ipod but even with under-amplification they're more refined and enjoyable.  Bill-P is right, as good as they are, they could still benefit from some equalization or an extremely flat/non-warm amp.

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post #10 of 21
2/19/13 at 9:34pm

Sony MDR-1R.

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post #11 of 21
2/20/13 at 4:48am
Thread Starter 
Ill check the sony out, ill probably get the 550 as long as I'm not losing out on a lot of SQ
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post #12 of 21
2/20/13 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
Bump
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post #13 of 21
3/9/13 at 2:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheReem View Post

Bump

lol well I tried the AKG K550 recently & all I have to say is damnnn. and I'mma basshead too lol.

 

I am not sure if I am crazy but I feel like I can tell exactly where all the instruments are around me... has anyone else experienced this??

 

the mids & treble are pretty redic... definitely don't remember hearing a lot of these subtles w/ the M100. The bass on the K550 is tight & accurate, but doesn't seem to have that boom or punch? Not sure what the word is lol.

 

Mann, I really do miss that low rumble purring bass, but I am definitely impressed! hahah

 

What headphones are even better than this???? I wanna try!!!!

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post #14 of 21
3/9/13 at 8:32am

Try Audio Technica ATH-ES10, ATH-ESW11LTD, ATH-W1000X, W3000ANV, W5000, etc...

Or Denon D2000, D5000, D7000

Or Mr. Speaker's Mad Dogs (same price as K550) w/ some good source/amp combo

Or if you want to scale even higher, Fostex TH600, TH900...

 

Those are all closed-back headphones. Pretty much every open-back headphone over $200 MSRP sounds better than the K550 IMO.

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post #15 of 21
3/9/13 at 8:47am

Using the K550 with an iphone on the go isn't really ideal. it ain't fun walking around with a 3 meter cord in your pocket. Also, to really enjoy them I think you need to be pretty focused on the music, not something people do on the go. 

i'm not saying their bad, on the contrary, these are in my opinion very unique sounding phones but for portable use you can get much better. 

Any specific reason your bent on the K550 VS mad dogs? 

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